hdri maps
 

does anyone know any tutorials for making hdri maps?

Well... there are lots of HDRI images on the net. just use google and "save picture as".
And if you really want to make your own HDRI image, I think I know one tutorial, but give me some time!;)

Going to google and finding an image and going Save picture as doesnt get u a hdri image lol...

Go Here
http://www.infinitee-designs.com/Tutorials-Maya-1.htm

You will find some great links for maya and hdri..

sweet! I searched a long time for a page like that.

thx

HDR shop's the way to go for creating your own HDR maps.

http://www.hdrshop.com/

THe sites got a tutorial section thats really good.

You can use Jpegs etc for ambient lighting (LDR Images) but there not the same as true HDR images.

You can also use mental ray to render out HDR images its one of the image formats in the render globals, you can also get a mental lens plug in that outputs as the angular map (think its that!)